EN 10210 Steel Hollow Sections in Aviation Infrastructure: Hangar Construction

Beneath the roar of jet engines and the bustle of ground crews, there's a silent backbone keeping aviation soaring: the hangar. These sprawling structures aren't just shelters—they're the workhorses of the industry, housing everything from small private planes to colossal commercial jets, and enabling the maintenance, repairs, and storage that keep flights safe and on schedule. But what makes a hangar truly reliable? The answer lies in the materials that hold it up. Among the unsung heroes of hangar construction are EN 10210 steel hollow sections—a material so integral to structural integrity that it's hard to imagine modern aviation infrastructure without it.

What Are EN 10210 Steel Hollow Sections?

EN 10210 isn't just a random code; it's a European standard that sets the bar for cold-formed welded and seamless steel hollow sections. These tubes, characterized by their hollow, cylindrical shape, are engineered for strength, precision, and versatility. Unlike solid steel beams, their hollow design strikes a perfect balance: they're lightweight enough to reduce overall structural load while being robust enough to bear immense weights—exactly what's needed when you're supporting a 200-ton aircraft or a roof that spans the length of a football field.

What sets EN 10210 apart? Start with its composition. Made primarily from carbon and carbon alloy steel, these sections undergo rigorous manufacturing processes, including cold forming and welding, to ensure uniformity and durability. They're tested for everything from tensile strength to impact resistance, and they comply with strict quality control measures that make them a go-to choice for critical infrastructure. For aviation, where safety is non-negotiable, this compliance isn't just a bonus—it's a requirement.

Why EN 10210 Stands Out in Hangar Construction

Hangars face unique challenges. They need to withstand extreme weather—think heavy snow loads in northern climates or high winds at coastal airports. They must support dynamic loads, like the movement of aircraft or the vibration from maintenance equipment. And they need to be flexible enough to adapt to evolving needs, whether that's expanding to accommodate larger planes or reconfiguring spaces for new repair technologies. EN 10210 steel hollow sections check all these boxes, and then some.

Let's break it down. First, strength. EN 10210 sections boast impressive yield strengths, often exceeding 355 MPa, which means they can bend without breaking under stress—a crucial trait when a hangar roof is weighed down by inches of snow. Their hollow design also makes them inherently resistant to torsion (twisting forces), which is vital in regions prone to storms. Second, weldability. Unlike some rigid structural materials, EN 10210 sections are easy to weld and connect, allowing engineers to create custom frameworks tailored to a hangar's specific dimensions. This flexibility is a game-changer for airports with unique space constraints or specialized needs, like hangars designed for military aircraft or aerospace research.

Compare this to other standards, like A500 steel hollow sections—a common choice in North America—and the differences become clear. While A500 is excellent for general structural use, EN 10210 often offers higher impact resistance at lower temperatures, a key advantage for hangars in cold environments. It also provides tighter tolerances on wall thickness and dimensional accuracy, ensuring that every beam and column fits together seamlessly during construction. When you're building a structure that needs to last decades, these small differences add up to big reliability.

Applications in Hangar Design: Where EN 10210 Shines

Walk into any modern hangar, and you'll see EN 10210 sections hard at work—often without realizing it. Let's take a tour of their most critical roles:

Structural Frameworks: The Skeleton of the Hangar

The main beams and columns of a hangar are like its bones, and EN 10210 is the perfect material for this job. Imagine a hangar designed to house a Boeing 777, which has a wingspan of over 60 meters. To span that distance without supports (which would get in the way of aircraft movement), engineers rely on large-diameter EN 10210 beams. These beams distribute weight evenly across the structure, ensuring the roof doesn't sag and the walls don't buckle, even when the hangar is packed with equipment and personnel.

Roofing and Cladding Support: Keeping the Elements Out

Hangar roofs take a beating. They need to shed rain, snow, and hail, and they must also support heavy equipment like overhead cranes used to lift jet engines. EN 10210 purlins (horizontal support beams) and rafters are up to the task. Their lightweight design reduces the load on the main framework, while their strength ensures the roof stays intact during storms. In coastal areas, where salt air can cause corrosion, EN 10210 sections can be coated with protective finishes, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs over time.

Flooring Systems: Bearing the Weight of Giants

It's not just the walls and roof that matter—hangar floors must support the full weight of an aircraft, including when it's jacked up for repairs. EN 10210 hollow sections are often used in floor joists and subframes, providing a stable base that won't crack or warp under pressure. Their hollow design also allows for easy integration of utility lines, like electrical cables or pipeline works for fuel and lubricants, keeping the floor uncluttered and safe for crews moving around the aircraft.

Custom Solutions for Unique Needs

Aviation is an industry of extremes, and not all hangars are created equal. Some are built for tiny private jets, others for military fighter planes, and still others for experimental aerospace vehicles. This is where custom steel tubular piles and EN 10210 sections shine. Manufacturers can produce sections in custom diameters, wall thicknesses, and lengths, ensuring the structure fits the hangar's specific requirements. For example, a hangar at a research facility might need extra-tall columns to accommodate vertical testing equipment, while a military hangar might require reinforced beams to support the weight of armored aircraft. EN 10210's adaptability makes these custom solutions possible without compromising on strength or safety.

Safety and Compliance: Meeting Aviation's High Standards

Aviation regulations are some of the strictest in the world, and hangars are no exception. They must comply with codes set by organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and local authorities, which dictate everything from fire resistance to structural load limits. EN 10210 sections are designed with these regulations in mind. Their high melting point makes them fire-resistant, a critical feature in a space where fuel and flammable materials are present. Their durability also ensures the hangar meets long-term safety standards, reducing the risk of structural failures that could endanger lives or ground flights.

Real-World Impact: How EN 10210 Supports Aviation's Future

Let's ground this in reality. Take a major international airport, say London Heathrow or Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. These hubs handle thousands of flights daily, and their hangars are in constant use—servicing planes, storing spare parts, and even accommodating emergency repairs. Without reliable structural materials like EN 10210, these hangars would struggle to keep up. A single structural failure could lead to flight delays, costly repairs, or worse. But with EN 10210, airport operators can focus on what they do best: keeping planes in the air.

Looking ahead, as aviation evolves—with larger aircraft, electric planes, and more sustainable practices—hangars will need to evolve too. EN 10210 is poised to keep up. Its compatibility with green building techniques, like solar panel installations on roofs (supported by strong EN 10210 rafters), makes it a sustainable choice. Its adaptability also means it can be used in modular hangar designs, allowing airports to expand or reconfigure spaces quickly as needs change. In short, EN 10210 isn't just supporting today's aviation infrastructure—it's building the foundation for tomorrow's.

Conclusion: More Than Metal—A Partner in Aviation Safety

EN 10210 steel hollow sections may not get the same attention as state-of-the-art avionics or sleek aircraft designs, but they're every bit as essential to aviation's success. In hangar construction, they're the quiet assurance that the structure will stand strong, come rain, snow, or the weight of a 747. They're the reason engineers can design larger, more efficient spaces, and the reason ground crews can work safely, knowing the building around them is built to last.

So the next time you see a hangar, take a moment to appreciate the materials that make it possible. Behind every flight that takes off on time, every repair that keeps a plane airworthy, and every innovation that pushes aviation forward, there's EN 10210—proving that sometimes, the most important advancements in aviation aren't in the sky, but in the steel that holds it all together.